Kayaking in Haida Gwaii

Sea kayaking in Haida Gwaii, formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is a spectacular experience. The jewel of the islands, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site, provides the adventurous kayaker with stunning scenery, remote wilderness, fantastic wildlife, and the opportunity to visit important Haida cultural sites.
The Southern Gwaii Haanas Explorer kayak tour travels between Burnaby Island and Ninstints toward the southern end of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. Our route along this rugged coastline offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, remarkable scenery, wonderful campsite locations, and culminates with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ninstints (SGang Gwaay Linagaay) with its long house remains and carved memorial and mortuary poles.

Our journey begins near Burnaby Island in the center of Gwaii Haanas. The waters surrounding Burnaby Island are renowned for abundant and colourful intertidal life. Burnaby (Dolomite) Narrows has some of the highest levels of living material of any intertidal zone in the world. Floating in our kayaks over hundreds of colourful sea stars, urchins, and anemones is a remarkable experience.

As we head south we are on the lookout for whales. Humpback whales are often seen feeding in Skincuttle Inlet and around many of the headlands we pass. Both harbour seals and Steller sea lions haul out on the many rocky islets, always weary of an ambush from transient (marine mammal-eating) killer whales. Along the beaches deer and black bears are a common sight.
Weather permitting we move to a new campsite each day. We may choose to camp on pebble beaches, moss-carpeted forest, or small offshore islands. Many of our favourite campsites are surrounded by lush old growth rainforest and have nearby streams allowing for freshwater bathing.
Near the end of our journey we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ninstints (SGang Gwaay Linagaay), home to over two dozen mortuary and memorial poles and the remains of cedar long houses. The waters surrounding Anthony Island are home to a wide variety of sea birds, such as rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, and tufted and horned puffins, plus many more species are often seen.

With all that Gwaii Hanaas has to offer, it is understandable why many of our guests consider this to be the best trip of their lives and why National Geographic rated Gwaii Haanas the #1 wilderness park destination in North America.

Dates & times:

Haida Gwaii Dates – 2018

July 2 – 9 – please enquire

July 9 – 16

July 16 – 23

July 23 – 30 – limited availability

July 30 – Aug 6 – Full

Aug 6 – 13

Aug 13 – 20

Aug 20 – 27 – Full

Cost:

$2,795 CAN per person + 5% GST

Other things to note:

We provide high quality three season tents. For couples we provide three person tents and for solo travellers a slightly smaller tent. Therm-a-rest sleeping pads and warm mummy style sleeping bags with liners are all provided to ensure a good night’s sleep. A library of natural history books is on every trip.

On the water we use stable single and double fibreglass kayaks and lightweight carbon/vinyl paddles. Waterproof kayaking jackets and neoprene kayaking mitts are provided to keep you warm and dry while kayaking.

All meals during the kayak trip are provided and prepared by your guides. We’re proud of our menu that includes abundant fresh fruits and vegetables, a wide variety of international dishes, and freshly baked treats. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated given sufficient prior notification. Transportation is all-inclusive from Sandspit by our network of vans and water taxis.

Prerequisites:

Intermediate Kayaking Experience necessary.

This tour is adult-oriented but participants as young as 15 may be accepted.